GENDER DISCRIMINATION? WAKE UP, IT'S 2007

Numbers 27:2-4, And they stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the leaders and all the congregation, by the doorway of the tabernacle of meeting, saying: "Our father died in the wilderness; but he was not in the company of those who gathered together against the Lord, in company with Korah, but he died in his own sin; and he had no sons. "Why should the name of our father be removed from among his family because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father's brothers."

The five daughters of Zelophehad experienced gender discrimination. The Lord ultimately answered their request, giving them their rightful benefits.

I experienced gender discrimination this week. It came from another church, of course. I don't know why the body of Christ tends to eat itself alive. It's kind of like cannibalism. Though not the first time, it still fired me up! I don't know whether to be hurt, angry, defensive or offensive.

I am not one to complain nor am I an advocate of "male-bashing" but firmly believe I cannot be silent on this issue. God has spoken through and used women throughout His word. He continues to work powerfully through both men and women today.

In the world we know as Corporate America, women are succeeding and excelling. If someone discriminates, there are laws and rights. These people are seen as pompous and pigs. Yet having no foundation to stand on, gender discrimination amongst some churches is accepted and taught.

I will not use this post to debate the issue, merely scrape the scab. Where does gender discrimination come from in the church? Simply put, it comes from the literal interpretation of scripture (mainly 1 Corinthians).

If we take culture out out of the equation and literally look at scripture (which is not proper interpretation but since it is the method "they've chosen"...okay). This would mean that by 1 Timothy 1:2, all leaders in the church have to be the husband of one wife. This leaves single men out of the running. Paul could not be an elder in the church because he was not married. Oh, and by the way, Jesus couldn't teach either.

Joel prophesied the Spirit of God would be poured out on all women and all men. Psalm speaks of the "great host of women who proclaim the gospel." Or how about.."There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28).

I love to read of the many women in the Bible teaching, prophesying and doing the work of the ministry. Pheobe preached the word and was called deacon (the same Greek word is used to designate her was applied to all the apostles and to Jesus Himself), Miriam, who went before the people with Moses and Aaron as seen in Micah 4:6, Philip's four daughters, the prophetess Deborah judged Israel 40 years, the prophetess Huldah in 2 Kings 22, Priscilla and Aquila. With no man in sight, it was Mary who had the wonderful privilege of proclaiming to the apostles the Savior had risen. Not to mention the great women ministering in history and today like Katherine Kuhlman, Mrs. Elizabeth Fry, Mrs. Fletcher of Madely, Miss Sarah Mallett (1787 given the right to preach in the Methodist fellowship), Aimee Simple McPherson, Paula White, Wendy Treat, Bobbie Houston and many others.

Last I checked, those who buried their talent got rebuked.

I am a woman who is madly in love with my husband. I understand authority and am under authority. I also know that a woman's God-given call to preach, teach and minister is a call independent of the opposite gender; although is more powerful when combined with her husband. Throughout the Old and New Testament, women were called and used by God to do marvelous exploits.

Today, there are women under authority who need to know and answer their divine calling.


Wake up people! It's 2007.